What We Can Learn From Lily Levin
When she was in the third grade, her mother gave her a copy of Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth, a brutally honest telling of an intensifying climate crisis. “Since I was young,” she said, “I’ve had an eye for seeing injustice.” As she’s gotten older, observation turned to consternation to action.
Last month, as part of her journey towards justice, she found herself sitting on the same stage as Al Gore at the Climate Reality Conference in Atlanta, GA. He was interviewing her.
This is Lily Levin, a senior at Cary Academy. So, how did it all come together for Lily Levin? How did a white, Jewish 18-year-old living in Cary, NC go from reading Al Gore to speaking with Al Gore? The story, unfortunately, is far too long to tell. Moreover, a play-by-play recount of Lily’s success in climate advocacy and community organizing would conceal the wisdom she has gained throughout the course of her life. The more pertinent question isn’t, “what did she do?” but rather, “what can we learn from her?”
Some nuggets of wisdom from Lily:
“Advocacy and organization aren’t about you.”
“Having privilege means constantly checking yourself and uplifting other people’s narratives”
“For a while, I think I just focused on the product, when sometimes the process is just as, if not more, important.”
“Activism isn’t a competition. Maybe all you can do right now is write one letter to one senator. It’s about doing what you can.”
The list goes on and on. Despite her youth, she carries wisdom beyond her years from years of experience. After she graduates from high school, Lily, after much deliberation, decided to attended Duke University while participating in a community service program.
“When I realized my voice was inherently powerful, because of my privilege,” she said, “I realized I had to use it to lift up other people.” This guiding mantra has led to do what all people with privilege ought to do--leverage it. Not just through hot takes on Twitter or milquetoast condemnations of injustice, but through action.
Two years ago, Lily founded Triangle People Power, a grassroots spoke of the American Civil Liberties Union. Lily imagined a multi-issue network spanning climate justice, immigration reform, criminal justice reform. Lily spoke to her prejudice to action, “I think I started in over my head. And I think I still am.” And she admitted, “There have been times when I’ve burnt out and then I’ve wanted to do nothing at all. I am really emotionally invested in this work, but sometimes, you have to take time for yourself.”
While our generation is more conscious of social justice issues, it often begins and ends with knowledge. In order to achieve broad, sweeping change, like fighting the growing tide of racism or adapting to clean energy, it requires a grassroots movement. It requires more people aware of the problem to act. Not to dedicate their whole being and every moment to the advancement of that cause, but to care enough to substantiate words with actions.
Cesar Chavez was a farmer. Rosa Parks was a secretary. Harvey Milk owned a camera store. (If you only know Rosa Parks, your history teachers have done you a disservice. Google them). The foundation of her success has been bringing together different people, some like her, many not.
At the root of her work, Lily says, is empathy. She appreciates difference as a cause for strength, not an excuse for weakness. Her final piece of advice, no matter what you do, she suggests, “Take time for yourself.”
Visit Triangle People Power Here: https://www.tripeoplepower.org/
